DeCure's autonomous Metabolic AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for gestational diabetes — screening already-approved drugs against its 35-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleGestational diabetes maps to a 35-gene Open Targets module — the target space DeCure's AI scientist screens approved drugs against.
DeCure.ai methodSignature reversal (LINCS) plus network proximity (STRING) rank already-approved drugs likely to perturb this module — the same engine that produces DeCure.ai's repurposing hypotheses.
Repurposing thesisScreening approved medicines against this disease module, then publishing the evidence for the strongest candidate. Known pharmacology and human exposure data make the first question sharper — they do not establish safety or efficacy in a new indication.
Research record
01
ResearchComing soon
Candidate research + dossier — target rationale, drug-repurposing thesis and evidence pack.proof: Published dossier + on-chain hash
02
ValidationComing soon
In-vitro biological validation at a contract research org (CRO).proof: CRO contract + in-vitro report
03
Peer review & paperComing soon
Peer-reviewed paper published open-access (preprint + journal).proof: DOI + open-access link + on-chain hash
Current lead
approvedMetforminApproved drug
Structures already discussed alongside gestational diabetes in the retrieved literature, rendered from public PubChem SMILES. Which drugs appear here reflects the evidence found, not a ranked prediction.
Molecular view
Crystal structure of human CYP3A4 — Metformin has a real, experimentally solved structure in complex with this target (PDB 5G5J, 2.6 Å). This is the drug's own deposited structure, not a prediction, and confirms it is a structurally characterised molecule rather than an untested guess.
Loading structure…
helix sheet mf8drag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 5G5J · 2.6 Å · ligand Metformin (MF8). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
A 2005 randomised trial assigned 490 women with gestational diabetes to dietary advice, blood glucose monitoring, and insulin as needed, and 510 women to routine care. Serious perinatal complications (death, shoulder dystocia, bone fracture, nerve palsy) occurred in 1% of the intervention group versus 4% of the routine-care group (adjusted relative risk 0.33, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.75, p=0.01). More infants in the intervention group were admitted to the neonatal nursery (71% vs 61%; adjusted relative risk 1.13, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.23, p=0.01). Induction of labour was higher in the intervention group (39% vs 29%; adjusted relative risk 1.36, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.62, p<0.001), but caesarean rates were similar (31% vs 32%; adjusted relative risk 0.97, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.16, p=0.73). At three months postpartum, data from 573 women showed lower depression rates and higher health-status scores in the intervention group.
A 2008 systematic review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force found no randomised trials directly evaluating the risks and benefits of screening for gestational diabetes. One good-quality trial of treatment in a screening-detected population supported a reduction in serious neonatal complications and also showed that treatment reduced the risk of gestational hypertension. Evidence for screening before 24 weeks’ gestation was very limited. The review noted that serious maternal hypoglycaemia with treatment appears rare and that overall quality of life is not worse among treated women. The literature was limited by the lack of a consistent standard for screening or diagnosis.
A 2023 review described gestational diabetes as a transient pattern of type 2 diabetes, with symptoms appearing alongside pregnancy-related hormonal changes. It listed risk factors including BMI ≥30 kg/m², pre-existing gestational diabetes, family history, and HbA1C ≤7 mmol/l. The review stated that changes in hormone levels had a role in promoting the development of diabetes in pregnant women compared with controls. A 2020 chapter and a 2019 knowledge-assessment study contributed no new quantitative outcome data; the 2019 study noted that gestational diabetes affects about 4% of pregnant women and that approximately 135,000 cases arise each year in the United States.
What remains missing is a consistent diagnostic standard for gestational diabetes, direct randomised evidence on the net benefit of screening before 24 weeks, and trial designs that separate the effects of different treatment components (diet, monitoring, insulin) on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Patient stratification by baseline risk factors such as BMI or family history has not been prospectively tested in a treatment trial.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
New England Journal of Medicine · 2005 · 3162 citations · open access
Effect of Treatment of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus on Pregnancy Outcomes
AbstractBACKGROUND: We conducted a randomized clinical trial to determine whether treatment of women with gestational diabetes mellitus reduced the risk of perinatal complications. METHODS: We randomly assigned women between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation who had gestational diabetes to receive dietary advice, blood glucose monitoring, and insulin therapy as needed (the intervention group) or routine care. Primary outcomes included serious perinatal complications (defined as death, shoulder dystocia, bone fracture, and nerve palsy), admission to the neonatal nursery, jaundice requiring phototherapy, induction of labor, cesarean birth, and maternal anxiety, depression, and health status. RESULTS: The rate of serious perinatal complications was significantly lower among the infants of the 490 women in the intervention group than among the infants of the 510 women in the routine-care group (1 percent vs. 4 percent; relative risk adjusted for maternal age, race or ethnic group, and parity, 0.33; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.14 to 0.75; P=0.01). However, more infants of women in the intervention group were admitted to the neonatal nursery (71 percent vs. 61 percent; adjusted relative risk, 1.13; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.03 to 1.23; P=0.01). Women in the intervention group had a higher rate of induction of labor than the women in the routine-care group (39 percent vs. 29 percent; adjusted relative risk, 1.36; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.15 to 1.62; P<0.001), although the rates of cesarean delivery were similar (31 percent and 32 percent, respectively; adjusted relative risk, 0.97; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.81 to 1.16; P=0.73). At three months post partum, data on the women's mood and quality of life, available for 573 women, revealed lower rates of depression and higher scores, consistent with improved health status, in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of gestational diabetes reduces serious perinatal morbidity and may also improve the woman's health-related quality of life.
Annals of Internal Medicine · 2008 · 109 citations
Screening for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
AbstractBACKGROUND: In 2003, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force concluded that evidence was insufficient to advise for or against routinely screening all pregnant women for gestational diabetes mellitus. PURPOSE: To review evidence about the benefits and harms of screening for gestational diabetes. DATA SOURCES: Databases (MEDLINE, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Health Technology Assessment Database, National Institute for Health and Clinical Effectiveness, and Cochrane Library) were searched for reports published from January 2000 to 15 November 2007 (and from 1966 to 1999 for additional studies on screening at less than 24 weeks' gestation), citations in the 2003 evidence report, and studies identified through consultation of experts and searches of bibliographies. STUDY SELECTION: English-language studies that used standard 1- or 2-step testing for gestational diabetes and that evaluated at least 1 of the following outcomes: neonatal mortality; brachial plexus injury; clavicular fracture; admission to a neonatal intensive care unit for hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, or the respiratory distress syndrome; maternal mortality; and preeclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension. DATA EXTRACTION: 2 reviewers evaluated 1607 abstracts, critically appraised 288 articles, and qualitatively synthesized 13 studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: No randomized, controlled trials that directly evaluated the risks and benefits of gestational diabetes screening were found. One good-quality randomized, controlled trial of treatment of mild gestational diabetes in a screening-detected population supported a reduction in serious neonatal complications and showed that gestational diabetes treatment also reduced the risk for gestational hypertension. Very limited evidence was found to evaluate early screening for gestational diabetes (before 24 weeks' gestation). Limited evidence suggests that serious maternal hypoglycemia is rare with treatment and that overall quality of life is not worse among women receiving gestational diabetes treatment compared with women not receiving treatment. LIMITATION: The literature is limited by lack of a consistent standard for screening or diagnosis of gestational diabetes. CONCLUSION: Limited evidence suggests that gestational diabetes treatment after 24 weeks improves some maternal and neonatal outcomes. Evidence is even more sparse for screening before 24 weeks' gestation.
AbstractGestational diabetes is defined as glucose intolerance first detected in pregnancy ( World Health Organization, 1999 ). Globally, and in the UK, the prevalence of gestational diabetes is increasing owing to multiple factors. Women with previous gestational diabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. In recent years, several landmark studies have been performed with the intention of defining the most appropriate treatment for gestational diabetes. The aim of this article is to explore the available treatments for gestational diabetes in the UK, although the author acknowledges that treatment modalities vary throughout the UK and remain largely dependent upon the prescriber's experience within the context of what is determined to be accepted safe practice.
Reproductive System & Sexual Disorders · 2018 · 10 citations
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Update and Review of Literature
AbstractGestational diabetes mellitus has been associated with various maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes. Screening and subsequent treatment are associated with short term benefit. With the recent recommended diagnostic criteria by the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups and increasing rate of obesity, the prevalence will continue to rise. It remains uncertain whether this new diagnostic criteria is cost effective or beneficial. Interventions include lifestyle modification, oral hypoglycaemic agents and insulin. The encouraging result and safety profile with oral hypoglycaemic agents may provide a safe alterative to insulin in patients who fail lifestyle modification.
Revista Brasileira Ginecologia e Obstetrícia · 2024 · 3 citations · open access
Metformin versus insulin in gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review
AbstractObjective: The aim of this study is to assess the use of metformin with or without insulin for the treatment of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus compared to insulin alone. Data sources: This article consists of a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. The searches were carried out on MEDLINE including 7 studies, between 2010 to 2021. Study selection: Randomized clinical trials comparing metformin and insulin written in English, Spanish or Portuguese, with no time limit, were included. Data collection: Data was extracted from all the 7 articles and compared statistically when possible. Whenever data was not available or couldn't be statistically compared, the main results were described in detail. Data synthesis: Insulin alone is not superior than metformin with or without insulin on gestational diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: There is a potential viability of using metformin as an alternative compared to insulin alone in the treatment of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. However, all assessed outcomes have a very low level of certainty of evidence and more studies are necessary to support these findings.
Effect of Some Bio Variables on Gestational Diabetes Progression: (Review)
AbstractGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disorder and is also definedas: impairment of glucose tolerance. This article aims to clarify the role of the changes in somehormones that may cause the development gestational of diabetes, as an attempt to understandand reduce the mechanism of this disorder. Disturbance Hormonal insulin levels, which arecharacterized by a reducing blood glucose reduced utilization of by muscle and body tissues.Many factors will promote the development of GDM, such as: BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m2, pre-existinggestational diabetes, family history and HbA1C ≤ 7 mmol/l. Gestational diabetes can be seenas a transient pattern of type 2 Diabetes, Symptoms appear with hormonal changes related topregnancy. Etiology of GDM related to type 2 diabetes and insulin resistant which also mayattack beta cells in pancreas. It can be concluded that the change in the level of each of thesehormones (significant differences) had a role in promoting the development of diabeticpregnant more than control pregnant women.
International Research Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2020 · 0 citations · open access
Gestacional Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)
AbstractThe existence of different types of diabetes contributes to a varied therapy, conditioned to the advance that this pathology is. In Gestational Diabetes Mellitus this condition is no different. In this context, this chapter will address Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, as well as its risk factors, prevention and consequences of this pathological condition.
International Journal of Advance Research in Medical Surgical Nursing · 2019 · 0 citations · open access
A study to assess the knowledge regarding gestational diabetes mellitus among antenatal mothers who are attending out-patient department, in Vanivilas hospital, Bangalore
AbstractGestational diabetes is a form of diabetes which affects pregnant women. It is believed that the hormones produced during pregnancy reduce a woman's receptivity to insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels. Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women. It is estimated that about 135,000 cases of gestational diabetes arise in the United States each year.
Disease module: DeepOracle (Open Targets). Structures: RDKit from PubChem SMILES. Literature: retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works (targeted per-candidate search), resolved on OpenAlex.
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